Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1887-03-14

which WAS 10 celebrate The birthday
of the heircsS OF Il noble family.
All there was in that ancient city os
rank and loyeliness were gathered to-
gether in Sirnora Lisbon's saloa, and
at the end of the long room the host.
ess and her daughter awaited their
guests.
The younger lady was turned slight
ly away from an approaching group.
among which Mrs Montrose dignified
and stately as ever in her black velvet
and diamonds, leaned upon her sons
arm.
MARX, Percy" she mulmured, 1.-THE
grace which high birth gives to its
children
The presentation began. An usher
announced:
Mrs. Montrose-Mr Percy Mont
rose"
The young lady turned, and there,
in that regally beautiful face. Percy
recognized his lost Aila.
A day after with heavy heart,
Mrs. Montrose bent over the bed
where her son and heir raved in de-
lirium. The blow she had long dread
ed had fallen; ne was dangerously
i'll.
1t was some time before the physi-
clan gave any hope, and then he said
seriously:
''1our son may recover, madame, il
he does not have Il relapse; but / can
see that his mind is troubled; it is
not bodily weakness alone which ails
him."
In her room the naughty woman fell
upon her knees and prayed for her
sons life. Before the stern messenger
who strips off all disguises, her pride
melted, and she rose with a resolution
to confess all to her son.
With as much calm as he could con-
troll Percy listened, then he turned his
face away.
He said no reproachfGl words, but
the look which flashed into the gloom
of his once so merry eyes warned his
mother that if she could not undo the
wrong she herself had done, hence
forth her son would be estranged from
her forever.
Mrs. Montrose sought and found
Ailia in her adopted mothers home.
Then, in trembling tones. She pleaded
with the girl she had once seorned for
forgiveness for herself and hope for
her son.
Alia heard her TO the end.
Mrs. Montrose, = she said. .swhen
you drove me by your cruel words out
into the cold world, confess that a
feeling nearly akin to hate filled my
breast. What might have become OF
me | know not, had not God brought
me kind friend who had known
my grandfather in his native land.
Sac took me, crushed and wounded ~
| was, to her heart, and at last ! con-
qucred my grief and was happy. do
not hate YOU now
But Perey-my poor boy-what
message shall take to him?'
''Of him do not care TO speak. =
coldly replied Ailia.
But, Aiiia, listen | have not
told you all. When | took back 10
Percy the ring. made him think that
you yourself mad broken the engagc-
ncnt; that you had been mistaken. aud
,lie feeling you had for him was not
love"
You told him that He believed
that did not love him. Then that IL
was why he lei me go--as | thought
SO willingly, and never sought mel
a vivid red glowed through The clear
pallor of. Ailia's face, aud her glorious
eyes lit IL with II radiant light.
Take me to him she said. II
will give him my own message"
''Wlll she come, mother9
The room was oaly family lighted:
the attendants moved noiselessly, 10.
though he realized it not himself. Pc
cy seemed very aear the invisible li.o
which lies between this world and the
shadow-land beyond.
There was no reply.
he looked up. In the place Of the
stately grey-hlired lady he expected to
see, beautiful dark face bent over his
couch. Soft lips met his.
''Do not speak, darling. 1t is ],
Ailia. know all.